Station fire victims get break on bills

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Some of the survivors of the deadly 2003 Station nightclub fire who are struggling to pay massive medical bills got some welcome news Tuesday. Two insurers have agreed to waive liens related to the mounting bills, according to a lawyer representing some of the victims.

In addition to the 100 people killed when pyrotechnics ignited the West Warwick club, 200 more were hurt. Due to ongoing treatment over the years, some of the survivors have racked up massive medical bills.

Attorney Mark Mandell briefed a federal magistrate Tuesday, informing the court Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Cigna have agreed to waive 100 percent of the liens related to those medical bills.

Just days ago, it came to light at least a dozen victims and families of those killed in the 2003 Station Nightclub fire have filed for bankruptcy protection while awaiting their shares of a $176 million settlement.

A federal magistrate judge approved a proposal in March to distribute the $176 million settlement among more than 300 people who filed lawsuits. Lawyers said their clients could receive payments ranging from about $20,000 to several million dollars for those more severely injured in the fire.